Bexhill High students set sail on Voyage of Achievement

Katie Horscroft and Bradley Forward, both aged 16, are taking part in a 10-night voyage on board tall ship Stavros S Nairchos.

The pair set sail from Newcastle on July 5 and their sea-going adventure will take them to London, via a Northern European port.

They are among a crew of 45 students '“ aged from 16 to 17 - from 19 schools from across the UK taking part in the 10th anniversary Tall Ships Youth Trust Voyage of Achievement funded by The HSBC Global Education Trust

Along with fellow students, Katie and Bradley will develop life skills and learn first hand about geography and weather systems as they sail Stavros S Naircos.

On joining the ship in Newcastle, the students were assigned to one of three teams called "watches".

Having met for the first time, each watch will spend the whole of the 10-night voyage working together, living eight to a cabin and rising at 4am for night watch duties.

While on board, students will take part in every aspect of sailing the tall ship, including helming, scaling the 45-metre masts to set and stow sails and navigating.

Tim Law, Tall Ships Youth Trust Marketing and Operations Director, said:

"For many this voyage will be a life changing experience. A tall ship voyage takes people out of their comfort zone and they will find things within themselves that they did not realise were there.

"Tasks such as climbing the rigging or helping prepare dinner for sixty seven people can give young people a real sense of achievement and self worth."

The voyage finishes when the brig sails up the Thames and under Tower Bridge in London, before mooring alongside HMS Belfast, on the afternoon of July 14.

More than 400 young people have taken part in the Tall Ships HSBC Voyage of Achievement over the past ten years and a number have returned to work as volunteers for the Tall Ships Youth Trust charity.

Somehave gone on to develop a career within the marine Industry or taken up sailing as a lifelong interest.

Commenting on the 10th anniversary Voyage of Achievement, Paul Sinclair, Education Executive, HSBC Global Education Trust said:

"HSBC continues to support the Tall Ships Voyage of Achievement because we want to make a difference in the communities we operate in.

"Sailing can be an inspirational experience. These voyages develop important life skills that young people can take back into their community, school or into a future career."

The Tall Ships Youth Trust (TSYT), incorporating the Sail Training Association, is a registered charity founded in 1956 and is dedicated to the personal development of young people, aged 12-25, through the crewing of ocean-going vessels.